US3075566A - Peach pitting method - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 29, 1963 E. R. ANDERSON PEACH FITTING METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1956 INVENTOR. EARL R. ANDERSON V. B n on 3 Q a 33 am w E om ATTORNEYS Jan. 29, 1963 E. R. ANDERSON ,0 6

' PEACH FITTING METHOD Filed Aug. 6, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 EARL R. ANDERSON IS A TTORNEVS Jan. 29, 1963 Filed Aug. 6, 1956 f/G. 3

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E. R. ANDERSON PEACH FITTING METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 AH W INVENTOR. EARL R. ANDERSON A, 77%ZKWM A 7' TORNEVS Jan. 29, 1963 E. R. ANDERSON 3,075,566

PEACH FITTING METHOD Fild Aug. 6, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i In INVENTOR. EARL R. ANDERSON A T TORNEV S Jan. 29, 1963 E. R. ANDERSON 3,075,566

PEACH FITTING METHOD Filed Aug. 6, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. EARL R. ANDERSON A 7' TORNEYS United States Patent 3,975,566 PEA LIH PlTTlNG METHOD Earl lit. Anderson, Qarnplcell, Qalifi, assignor to Filper Qorporation, Richmond, (Calif. Filed Aug. 6, 1956, der No. 6ll2,ll96 '7 Claims. (Cl. 146-438) This invention relates to the pitting of clin-gstone peaches and, more specifically, to the removal of pits from the peach halves to which the pits may be adhered. The apparatus hereinafter described bears some features that are shown in my copendiug application, Serial No. 244,795, died September 1, 1951, now Patent No. 2,775,278.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a clingstone peach pitter that will quickly remove the pits from the peach halves with which they are connected by moving each pit bodily out of the pit cavity in the peach half along a path substantially coincidental with the contour of the pit cavity.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of removing the half pits from clingstone peach halves by severing the fibers connecting the pit in each half with the flesh of the latter substantially at the adjoining surfaces of the pit and pit cavity by moving the pit along an arcuate path that is substantially in continuation of the curvature of the surface of the pit cavity.

Various prior art devices have been proposed for pitting whole peaches and like fruit of the clingstone variety, a recent development being shown in U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,664,127, issued December 29, 1953 to Joseph Perrelli, in which the pit is held and both peach halves are separated therefrom in one operation without cutting the pit from the fruit. in some cases, however, the fruit as it comes from the orchard may have a defective pit or a pit that is split, and which cannot be held by such apparatus. In such cases removal of a pit from one peach half at a time may be necessary.

Many types of apparatus for cutting a pit from a peach half have been proposed. However, it has been found desirable to separate the pit from clingstone peaches by tearing or rupturing the fibers that adhere the pit to the peach in order to prevent the loss of flesh, and also, it has been found that the flavor of peaches pitted in this manner is superior to those in which the pit and flesh adhering thereto has been completely cut from the peach half.

it is therefore another object of this invention to provide a novel method for pitting each halves which includes rupturing a portion of the fibers which attach the pit to the peach.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for performing the above method.

A further object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for imparting a shock to a pit adhered to a peach half while supporting the pit in a manner to eject the same from the peach half.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a method of pitting peach halves by partly cutting and partly rupturing the fibers adhering the pit to the peach half.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, in full size, of the major portion of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and showing the position of the driving mechanism of the apparatus at its original position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and showing the position of pitting elements as related to the driving mechanism of FIG. 5;

FlG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the position of the pitting elements during the first step of the pitting operation;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the position of the pitting elements at the end of the first step of the pitting operation.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views similar to PEG. 5 showing the position of the driving mechanism corresponding to the positions of the pitting elements of FIGS. 7, 8, respectively; and,

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the position of the pitting elements during the final pitting operation; and

HG. 12 is a partly elevational, partly sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing peach holding means.

in detail, the apparatus of this invention comprises a frame, generally designated 1 (PlGS. l, 2, 3), composed of a pair of generally horizontal, spaced guide members 2 having opposedly inwardly opening grooves 3 therein. Members 2 are rigidly secured in said spaced relation by a back frame member a (FIG. 1) and are rigidly fixed to a horizontal base plate 5. At the forward end of the base plate 5 the same is provided with an upstanding fixed plate 6 which may be rigidly secured to base 5 as by brackets '7 and screws 8. Since the upper end of plate 6 is not secured to upper guide memher 2, the forward ends of said guide members may be held in spaced relationship by a side strap 9 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3) secured thereto by screws id.

Mounted forwardly of fixed plate d and in a spaced, parallel relation thereto is a movable plate 12. Plate 12 is horizontally reciprocable with respect to plate 6 since it is mounted on a pair of horizontal rods l3 which ex end into spring units l4 secured to the rear side of plate 6. Springs 15 (MG. 2) in each spring unit 14 urge plate 12 away from plate 6 to the extent limited by stop nuts 16 threadedly received on rods 13. The inward movement of plate 12 toward plate 6 against the force of springs 15 is limited by spacer collars 17 surrounding rods 13 between plate 12 and plate 6. Plates l2 and 6 are formed with horizontally aligned openings iii, 19 respectively (FIGS. 3, 6), for a purpose to be described. Opening 19 may be formed slightly larger than opening 18 and the latter is a little larger than the largest pit expected to be encountered.

Extending rearwardly from movable plate 12. through an opening in plate 6 is a push rod 2@ (FIG. 1). The forward end of push rod 2% is secured to plate 12 and its rearwardly directed end is adapted to engage the front end of a slide member 21 which is slidably received in grooves 3 in guide members 2. Slide member 21 is urged to its forward position (to the left in FIG. 1) by a helical spring 22 interposed between the rear end thereof and back member 4. The rearward travel of slide member 21 is limited by an adjustable screw 23 projecting forwardly from back member 4. The forward movement of member 21 is, of course, limited by stop nuts 16 in the same manner as movable plate 12. It will be noted that the original or forward position of member 21 with respect to plate 12 may be adjusted by interposing push rods 20 0f diiferent lengths therebetween.

The forward end of slide member 21 is formed to pro vide a pair of vertically spaced bearings 26, 27 (FIGS. 3,

4) in which the vertical drive shaft 28 is journaled. Shaft 28 is free to rotate in bearings 26, 27 and moves longitudinally of frame 1 with slide member 21. It will be noted from FIG. 6 that when slide member 21 is in its original or forward position, shaft 28 is positioned in the space between plates 6 and 12.

In FIG. 4 it will be seen that the lower end of shaft 28 carries a pair of arcuately formed,opposed pit holding elements or blades 29, 3%. Blades 29,3.3 are substantially U-shaped and their forwardly directed edges are sharpened to provide cutting edges 31, 32. Said cutting edges may be formed to the somewhat sinusoidal curve shown with their central portions recessed to provide a pair of nibs 33 on either side thereof. Preferably edges 31 are sharpened substantially throughout their arcuate extent.

The nibs 33 in effect form two portions which are the leading cutting edges of blades 29, 3%). As will appear later, when blades 29, 39 cut into the flesh of a peach half adjacent the pit they leave an uncut area at the recess between the nibs 32).

Blade 29, which will hereinafter be referred to as the ejector blade, is provided at its inner ends with a pair of opposed bosses 3 having aligned openings for receiving the lower part of shaft 28 therethrough. Bosses '34 are secured as by Welding to blade 29 and a flat 35 may be formed on shaft 28 for securing one of said bosses thereto by means of a key or set screw. In this manner, blade 29 is fixed to shaft 2% for rotation therewith.

Likewise the inner ends or legs of blade 36, hereinafter known as the supporting blade, are provided with a pair of opposed bosses 35 (FIG. 4) which also have aligned openings for receiving shaft 28. Bosses 36 are secured as by welding to blade 3t) and are rotatable with respect to shaft 28. In effect, as seen in FIG. 4, blade 29 may rotate scribed.

In FIGS. 3, 4, it will be noted that the upper end of upper boss 36 is formed with a crank arm to having a follower 41 projecting upwardly therefrom at a .point eccentric to shaft 28. Follower 41 is slidably received in an elongated, horizontal slot 42 formed in a fixed bracket 43. Bracket 43 is adjustably secured to the downwardly extending 'leg 44 of a horizontal bearing member 45 as by screws 46 extending through slot 47 in bracket 43 (FIGS. 1, 4). Bearing member 45 is secured to upper guide member 2 by screws 48 (FIGS. 1, 2). It will be noted that the relative angular position 'of'crank arm 40 and therefore of supporting blade 36 may be "adjusted by sliding bracket 43 forwardly or'rearwardlyand'securing it in the desired position by screws 46.

It will be noted in FIG. 4 that the axis of the cylindrical bearing 49 of member 45 is positioned in the central vertical plane of the slide member '21. A driving head 50 comprising an upper disc 51'and alower circumferentially grooved disc 52 is journalled for rotation on hearing surface 49 of bearing member 45. Said discs may be secured together by screws 53 (FIGS. 1, 2) and are provided with a crank arm 54 for rotation head 50 in bearing member 45. The underside of disc 52 is-provided with a horizontally elongated slot 57 (FIGS. 2, 4, 5) which slidably receives a follower 58 carriedby a crank arm 59.

Arm 59 is pinned to the upper end of shaft ZSfor rotation therewith and follower 58 is eccentric with respectto said shaft. Rotation of driving head 50 by armf 54 thereby rotates. shaft 28 through slot"57 follower 58,

and crank arm 59. In this manner, ejectorblade29 'rnay be rotated independently of supporting blade 3t The drive for head 50 and thereby blade 29 is had through a trigger mechanism, generally designated 1%, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Swingably secured to the end of crank arm 54 remote from head 50 is an upstanding boss 101 having a horizontal aperture fill (PEG. 2) therethrough for receiving one end of an elongated rod 103. The other end of rod 1G3 extends through an aperture 104 in a similar boss 195 swingably mounted on the rear end of upper guide member 2. A helical compression spring iii-6 surrounds rod lid?) and abuts bosses fill, 195 at opposite ends.

' Trigger mechanism 169 may be cocked by pulling rod Hi3 rearwardly and compressing spring 1% to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. A set screw 1G7, provided with a handle lltld, is threadedly received in boss 105 and projects into aperture 104- and may be tightened to secure rod 103 in the cocked position. Upon release by withdrawal of screw 167 spring 1% will forcibly and rapidly snap arm 54 and therefore head 54 to the dotdash line position of FIG. 2, thereby imparting a rapid rotation to ejector blade 29 through slot 57, follower 58, crank arm 59 and shaft 28. This motion transmitted to blade 29 is in effect a shock or rapid blow, for a purpose to be described.

Inoperation, the half 75 (FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 12) of a peach which has been bisected along its sutural plane is presented to the forward face of'movable plate 12 with the pit 76 adhering to said peach half arranged generally centrally of opening 18 and being exposed therethrough. In this position, it will be noted that the sutural plane of the peach half and the pit corresponds generally to the plane of movable plate 12. The peach half 75 is then urged toward plate 12 along the central'axis of peach half 75 and pit 76 normal to their sutural plane.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 12 may be provided for the above purpose. A bracket 89 (FIG. 1) extends outwardly and downwardly from member 45 and is provided with a bearing $1 (FIG. 12) at its lower end. Bearing 'til'is aligned with the aforementioned peach axis and has a shaft 32 slidably mounted therein for reciprocation along said axis toward and away from plate 12. Shaft 82 carries a peach supporting cup 83 at its end closest to plate 12 and a helical coil spring 84 may be interposed between said cup and bearing 81 for yieldably urging the cut face of a peach half 75 supported in cup 83 into engagement with movable plate'12. A knob 85 may be provided on the opposite end of shaft 32 by which cup 83 may be retracted 'for'feeding and ejecting peach halves to and from said cut. The device of FIG. 12 thereby provides means for supporting or holding the peach half during the pitting operation to elim inate'the possibility of an operators hands coming too close to the pitting knives for safety.

At the first or original position shown in FIG. 6 it will be noted that the projecting nibs 33 of the cutting blades 29, 3d are adjacent theflat surface of the peach half 75 and just outside the ends of pit 76. The corresponding position of .the' elements of the mechanism for driving pitting elements 29, 30 is shown in H6. 5.

I Movable plate 12 is thenurged toward fixed plate 6 by pressing on peach half 75 in the direction'indicated by arrow 77 in FIG. 7. 7 if desired, this may be done by shaft 23 of the blades with it thereby'displacing said shaft with respect to the other elements of the blade 'driving mechanism. Since followers 41' and 58"are prevented from any substantial rearward movement by slots 42 and 57 respectively, which are held stationary during the above movement, the effect of moving the shaft 28 rearwardly is to rotate crank arms 46 and 59 thereby 'closing'blades 29, 39 respectively toward each other. Blades 29, 3t} are closed to the position shown in FIG. 7 around opposite ends of pit 76 and nibs 33 actually cut into the flesh of peach half 75 adjacent said pit. The position of crank arms 40, 59 corresponding to this position of blades 30, 29, is shown in FIG. 9.

In the event the pit 76 is smaller than the largest pit that may be accommodated by the pitting elements 29, 30, the same may be further closed against the pit by grasping the rear of slide member 21 and retracting it further, independently of movable plate 12 to the position shown in FIG. 8. The corresponding drive mechanism position is shown in FIG. 10.

The configuration of cutting edges 31, 32 are such that the blades 29, 30 do not make a full cut around the pit 76, but the recess between nibs 33 leaves part of the pit adhered to the peach half. It is desirable that as much of the pit remain adhered to the peach as possible for the following pitting step consistent with relieving the edge of the pit and trimming the pit cavity.

It will be noted that ejector blade 29 has been rotated sufiiciently to bring web 37 thereof into contact with the surface of pit 76 opposite peach half 75 (FIG. 7). One end of pit 76 is therefore received in the pocket 39 formed between the cutting edge of blade 29 and said web. Although the drawing discloses a half pit with web 37 in contact with the fiat face thereof, it should be noted that the means here described will work as effectively in cases where a whole pit is adhered to a peach half. It may be necessary in such cases to form web 37 to a concave shape so that a configuration of pocket 39 more nearly approaches the shape of the end of the whole pit. However, this is not absolutely necessary as the end of the pit will be received and held in pocket 39 when formed as shown in FIG. 7.

At this point, the trigger mechanism 100 is tripped by withdrawing screw 107 and spring 106 forces arm 54 forward rapidly as described. The blow or rapid rotation thus imparted to pitting element 29 ruptures the remaining fibers that adhere pit 76 to peach half and shocks the pit loose from its cavity (FIG. 11).

It will be noted that supporting element 30 cradles the underside of the pit adjacent the flesh of the peach half during this final pitting step. Not only does blade 30 trim the portion of the pit cavity adjacent the sutural plane of the peach but it also acts to guide the pit through blade 30 and out of the pit cavity in the direction of arrow 79.

The cavity of a peach half pitted in accordance with the method and apparatus of this invention substantially retains the desirable characteristics of a rough, colored surface and yet is trimmed clean of pit fragments and damaged flesh. The apparatus of this invention, in effect, combines some of the best features of cutting and tearing the pit from a peach half. Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, such should not be taken as restrictive thereof since it is obvious that many modifications could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

II. The method of removing a pit from a peach half that comprises the steps of: supporting said peach half against movement and driving the pit therefrom along an arc that is substantially in continuation of the curvature of the convex outer side of said pit and which curvature substantially corresponds with that of the pit cavity in said half and guiding said pit along said are during said driving thereof.

2. The method of removing a pit from a peach half that comprises the steps of forcibly moving said pit relative to said half along an are that is substantially in continuation of the curvature of the pit cavity in said peach half and guiding said pit along said arc.

3. The method of removing a pit from a peach half that comprises the steps of: supporting said peach half against movement and driving the pit therefrom along an are that is substantially in continuation of the curvature of the convex outer side of said pit and which curvature substantially corresponds with that of the pit cavity in said half, guiding said pit along said are during said driving thereof and at approximately the same time trimming the fiesh from said pit cavity adjacent to the plane of the out side of said half.

4. A method for pitting peach halves comprising the steps of: supporting the pit of a peach half adhered to the convex surface of said pi-t adjacent said peach half at one point adjacent the outer periphery of said pit, and forcibly and rapidly imparting a blow to said pit at a point opposed to said one point and generally toward said one point for rupturing the fibers adhering said pit to said peach half and for ejecting said pit from said peach half.

5. A method for pitting peach halves comprising the steps of: partially cutting the flesh of a peach half adjacent the pit adhered thereto at opposed points on said pit adjacent the plane of the suture thereof, supporting said pit at one of said points, and forcibly and rapidly imparting a blow to said pit at the other of said points toward said one point for rupturing the remaining, uncut fibers adhering said pit to said peach half and for ejecting said pit from said peach half.

6. A method for pitting peach halves comprising the steps of: supporting the pit of a peach half adhered to the convex surface of said pit adjacent said peach half at one point adjacent the outer periphery of said pit, forcibly and rapidly imparting a blow to said pit at a point opposed to said one point and generally toward said one point for rupturing the fibers adhering said pit to said peach half and for ejecting said pit from said peach half, and, simultaneously with the step of imparting said blow, trimming the surface of the pit cavity formed by ejection of said pit.

7. The method of removing a pit from its cavity in a peach half which comprises: supporting said peach half, applying an arcuate force to one edge of said pit adjacent one edge of said pit cavity, and guiding said pit adjacent an opposite edge of said pit cavity along an are which is a continuation of the curvature of said cavity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 794,598 Dunkley July 11, 1905 1,357,004 Robbins Oct. 26, 1920 1,605,532 Duncan Nov. 2, 1926 1,794,479 Smith Mar. 3, 1931 2,664,127 Perrelli Dec. 29, 1953 2,775,278 Anderson Dec. 25, 1956

Claims (1)

1. 7. THE METHOD OF REMOVING A PIT FROM ITS CAVITY IN A PEACH HALF WHICH COMPRISES: SUPPORTING SAID PEACH HALF, APPLYING AN ARCUATE FORCE TO ONE EDGE OF SAID PIT ADJACENT ONE EDGE OF SAID PIT CAVITY AND GUIDING SAID PIT ADJACENT AN OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID PIT CAVITY ALONG AN ARC WHICH IS A CONTINUATION OF THE CURVATURE OF SAID CAVITY.

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